Monopoly
Royal Mail's special stamp issue for October 2025 commemorates the
much-loved board game of Monopoly which turns 90 this year, and its
enduring popularity shows no signs of diminishing.
The ‘fast-dealing property trading game’ originated in the US, but
after securing the European licence in the 1930s, John Waddington Limited
of Leeds created a brand new version of Monopoly. Featuring locations from
around London, the game was transformed into a truly British icon,
ensuring that family gatherings would never be the same again.
Today, the game is available in more than 100 countries worldwide and
has been translated into over 40 languages. With many different themed
versions to choose from, Monopoly continues to evolve and reinvent itself,
as successive generations roll the dice, ‘pass GO’ and collect
£200.
With 10 new 1st class stamps featuring in this issue, clearly Royal
Mail is hoping to follow suit in the run up to Christmas. All 10 new
stamps are featured in a new collector sheet issued on the 16th October
2025, along with the other goodies such as presentation packs, first day
covers and other collectibles, full details of which can be found on Royal
Mail's website.
Of particular interest to generic smilers sheet collectors will be the
Monopoly Generic/Collector sheet featuring the iconic stamps and
associated labels.
GS-179
The Collector Sheet is printed in Litho
and on self-adhesive backed paper. This is different from the set of stamps, which are
printed in Litho and are gummed. We are able to supply the Collector
Sheet from our eBay store (click on images above). Also available are a
few pairs of First Day covers featuring the stamps/labels from this sheet.
(17/10)
Fake News - Update!
Earlier this year I did a piece on fake Smilers sheets from
China. You can find the original article at the bottom of this
page...
Today I was contacted by a long-time contributor to these columns with
the information that, in addition to the sheets listed in my article, my
sleuth suspected there was another sheet being sold on eBay which could
potentially be another fake from China. This news whilst not totally
unexpected, caused me to check my stock of the 2020 Christmas Smiler
sheets, yes the expensive one.
As I mentioned, I was not entirely surprised at this possibility as I
had been wondering why so many examples of this sheet design were suddenly
available on eBay! There was a time when you couldn't find
this sheet for love nor honest money. Today there are at least ten
sheets listed for sale from various sellers, some by auction for as little
as £16 and others at a fixed price around £150!
I have now compared the sheets I purchased recently on eBay against
those in my collection (from Tallants House) and I can see some
differences perhaps worth mentioning.
-
The back of the paper they are printed on seems to be as
better quality than the originals and the back of the sheets is smoother
and of bright, white appearance whereas the genuine articles are less
polished in appearance and less white. Check the paper quality
against other sheets of the same era, if it looks different it's
probably a fake!
-
When held up to a light source the surface of the fake sheet
is less bright then the genuine article and reflects less light - also
noticeable
when comparing surface finish, the genuine article looks to
have a brushed finish which the fakes are quite smooth, could be a brightener
coating or something similar.
-
Lastly, if one compares the phosphor under UV light
and you will see that the genuine sheets exhibit quite dull fluorescence
whereas the fakes react well to UV light with bands clearly
visible. So if you can see the bands clearly
under UV light,
then the sheet is likely to be a fake, in my opinion.
Caveat Emptor! Buy from a reputable dealer and if in
any doubt return it for a full refund! (27/09)
Ducks
Royal Mail has today issued a set of 10 new stamps and associated
collectibles featuring Ducks. According to a recent Royal Mail
announcement
.....
"Royal Mail are quacking with excitement to reveal a set of 10
stamps celebrating the UK species of ducks. Of over 120 duck species
globally, 22 are found in the UK, inhabiting our rivers, wetlands, coasts,
and estuaries. Ducks have become surprisingly collectible (albeit mostly
the rubber variety!) and are now a full-blown TikTok sensation with
adorable ducks waddling through kitchens to pet ducks splashing in bath
tubs, the hashtag #ducks have racked up hundreds of thousands of posts and
millions of views. With these stamps we extend our animals and nature
series of issues, with a set of ten stamps featuring many of the popular
breeds found in the UK both in flight and in their natural
environment."
Five new 2nd class and five new 1st class stamps comprise this issue
which will set you back £12.85. I can only marvel at the restraint of
Royal Mail in deciding to limit this issue to "only" 10 stamps
in the certain knowledge that there are another 12 native UK ducks that
could have made a quacking good addition to this celebration!
It is perhaps apposite that this stamp issue has appeared in the same
week as this recent article from the BBC.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cger3w129l0o
Returning to Royal Mail's latest issue, released today, 11th September
2025 and as noted above, five second class and five first class stamps
have been issued featuring native ducks.
In addition to the usual First Day Covers, Presentation
packs, stamp cards, etc., there is a new Collector Sheet which will be of
interest to Smilers collectors featuring the 10 stamps and 10 additional
attached labels featuring further images of ducks in their natural
environment. The stamps and labels are set against a backdrop of a female
Goose carrying her chicks. The Collector Sheet is printed on
self-adhesive paper, whilst the set of stamps are printed on PVA gummed
paper, therefore these stamps differ from the counter sheet stamps.
GS-178
We are able to supply the Collector Sheet from our eBay store (click on
image above). Also available are a few pairs of First Day covers featuring
the stamps/labels from this sheet. We must be Quackers!
(11/09).
And now for something completey different, it's ....
...Royal Mail's Failing Circus!
Royal Mail's latest stamp issue due out on the 14th August 2025
celebrates Monty Python and their surreal humour, intellectual absurdity
and anarchic creativity. This stamp issue marks the 50th anniversary
of Monty Python and the Holy Grail – a milestone for a film that
redefined spoof cinema and cemented the group’s international status.
A colourful and surreal set of six 1st Class stamps celebrating the
unforgettable characters and sketches from Monty Python’s Flying Circus,
the iconic British comedy series that redefined television humour. Each
stamp features a vibrant montage of scenes and cut-out animation inspired
by Terry Gilliam’s distinctive visual style, perfectly capturing Monty
Python’s unique blend of wit, satire and absurdity. Showcases legendary
moments from the show, including The Spanish Inquisition, the Ministry of
Silly Walks and The Lumberjack Song A fitting tribute to the British
comedy institution that continues to influence generations of comedians
and fans around the world.
A special miniature sheet celebrating Monty Python and the Holy Grail,
the cult 1975 film that parodied Arthurian legend with outrageous humour
and unforgettable one-liners. Contains four 1st Class stamps, each
featuring a still from a classic scene in the film and set against a
whimsical illustrated background with the film’s logo and artwork – a
milestone moment for one of the most quoted and beloved comedies of all
time.
GS-177
A Collector’s Sheet is amongst the other collectibles on offer from
Royal Mail which showcases the outrageous humour and cultural impact of
Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The sheet includes all six special stamps
from the main issue, each presented in a self-adhesive, horizontal-format,
paired with six labels featuring stills from some of Monty Python’s most
famous sketches including the “Dead Parrot” confrontation, the “Upper
Class Twit of the Year” race and the “Nudge Nudge” innuendo Set
against a theatrical backdrop with a stage curtain design and dramatic
clouds and classic Monty Python logo, paying homage to the group’s
original BBC opening sequences. The Collector Sheet is printed in Litho
and Self-adhesive. This is different from the set of stamps, which are
printed in Litho and Gummed. We are able to supply the Collector
Sheet from our eBay store (click on images above). Also available are a
few pairs of First Day covers featuring the stamps/labels from this sheet.
(11/08)
Peanuts
After what seems a long two months of inactivity on the Smilers
front, I am pleased to announce the arrival of a new Collector Sheet
from Royal Mail, who are celebrating the internationally loved comic strip
‘Peanuts’ on the occasion of its 75th anniversary in 2025. The first
black-and-white Peanuts daily strip launched on Monday, 2 October 1950, in
a modest seven newspapers. As many more papers signed on, it led to the
longer Sunday episodes in colour, from 6 January 1952. It expanded to the
UK in February 1953, first featuring in the Daily Sketch, before switching
to the Daily Mail in May 1971. Charles Schulz devoted himself to putting
his pen to paper and turned his ‘repertory company’ of assorted
children, a beagle and a little bird into the American comic-strip
masterpiece Peanuts. Seven days a week for nearly 50 years, the comic was
enjoyed in as many as 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries by an estimated 350
million readers. Reprints still run in some 2,000 papers in print and
online – proof that Peanuts remains highly popular with young and old a
quarter of a century after Schulz’s final original strip appeared on 13
February 2000.
To mark this event, Royal Mail will issue a range of collectibles on
the 24th July 2025, including a new set of eight stamps in se-tenant
pairs, featureing Charlie Brown, Snoopy and friends in a British style
theme of the much-loved comic strip including: the classic Snoopy pose on
a Royal Mail Pillar Box, playing Football (or Soccer as Charlie Brown may
have called it), Charlie Brown and Snoopy “enjoying” the British
Weather and a Birthday Tea Party among others.
In addition to the set of eight gummed stamps, Royal Mail will also be
issuing a new Collector Sheet featuring all eight stamps from the mint
stamp set with accompanying labels featuring comic strip illustrations. As
is now usual all stamps and accompanying labels are printed in Litho and
Self-adhesive, making these different from the stamp set which are Litho
and PVA Gum.
We are able to supply the Collector Sheet from our eBay store (click on
images below). Also available are a few pairs of First Day covers
featruing te stamps/labels from this sheet. Keep Smiling! (20/07).
GS-176
Chronicles of Narnia
Apologies for this late update, just back from a few days away and have
been playing catch-up ever since!
Royal Mail released a set of stamps on 22nd May 2025 commemorating the
75th anniversary of the publication of the "The Lion, The Witch and
The Wardrobe", part of the classic fantasy series "The
Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S.Lewis. The stamp set comprises 8 x 1st
Class stamps illustrated by Keith Robinson, a British illustrator of
children and young adult books, and commissioned especially for this stamp
issue by Royal Mail. An accompanying Mini Sheet comprises 4 x 1st Class
stamps with original illustrations by Pauline Baynes featuring The Lion,
The Witch and The Wardrobe, the first and best known of seven novels in
The Chronicles of Narnia.
The latest Royal Mail issue includes a Presentation Pack containing
both the set of 8 x 1st class stamps and the mini sheet. Additionally
other Royal Mail products are available including: First Day Covers (2) of
the stamp set and mini sheet; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Medal
Cover; Chronicles of Narnia Postcard set; a Press Sheet and (of course) a
brand new Collector Sheet featuring 10 x 1st class stamps and
labels.
GS-175
The Collector Sheet features 10 stamps from the stamp 8 x
1st class stamp set with matched labels (2 of which are duplicated)
featuring original illustrations by Pauline Baynes. As is now becoming the
de-facto standard for these sheets, the Collector Sheet is printed in
Litho and on Self-adhesive paper. This is different from the set of
stamps, which are printed in Litho and are supplied with water- activated
gum.
We have again produced a limited number of First Day
Covers featuring these stamps/labels for the keen collectors amongst
us -
these are not available from Royal Mail but can be purchased by clicking on
the images below which will activate a link to our eBay store. You can
also purchase the collector sheet above by clicking on its image.
(27/05)
Europhilex 2025 Collector Sheet
To commemorate EUROPHILEX 2025 Royal Mail will issue a limited edition
collector sheet featuring 10 x 1st Class Union Flag stamps and featuring
the Victory Stamps of 1946 as the images on the adjoined labels on 7th May
2025 to coincide with the opening of EuroPhilex stamp exhibition held at
the NEC, Birmingham (7th-10th May 2025).
GS-174
For the first time ever the organising committee decided to move its
international exhibition out of London to the NEC in Birmingham.
Birmingham is the country’s second city, located in the centre of
England and surrounded by a massive population and several other large
cities.
We will continue to supply, to our valued customers, a small number of these
sheets, first day covers and private presentation packs featuring
these stamps/labels which are available through our eBay store.
Just click on the images above to access the relevant page. (01/05)
Valour and Victory Collector Sheet
Issued to coincide with the 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day -
Victory in Europe - Royal Mail has today released a collector sheet
featuring 10 x 1st class stamps paired with photographs showing the work
of the ten roles carried out by those individuals featured on the stamps.
The background shows the crowds at Trafalgar Square on VE Day.
The stamps featured on this collector sheet mirror the gummed set of 10
x 1st class stamps marking this event, also issued on 1st May 2025. The
collector sheet is the only source of these stamps available printed in
Litho on self-adhesive paper by ISP/Cartor.
GS-173
We continue to supply, to our valued customers, a small number of these
sheets and first day covers which are available through our eBay store.
Just click on the images above to access the relevant page. (01/05)
Garden Wildlife
Oscar Wilde once said "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” In Royal Mail's latest issue due
out on 11th March 2025, we at Ridgewood have taken some comfort from these
words.
In 2009 Ridgewood Stamp Sheets released a Business Customised Stamp
Sheet themed around British Wildlife. It showed a mix of well known
animals, flora, insects and birds in a celebration of British
Wildlife.
On the 11th March 2025, Royal Mail will be releasing a
Collector Stamp Sheet themed around Garden Wildlife. It shows a mix
of well known animals, flora, insects and birds in a celebration of Garden
Wildlife. Garden Wildlife? Really? How many Badgers have
you got in your garden. I guess they couldn't bring themselves to use the
name "British Wildlife" for fear of being accused of complete plagiarism!!
LS-172
This copycat collector sheet comes after Royal Mail have ....
a) cancelled the personalised Smilers service,
b) cancelled business customised Smilers service,
c) abandoned the brand "Smilers" in favour of the
"Collector Sheet" branding,
and in so doing effectively eliminated all third party competition and
creativeness.
Royal Mail are selling these Collector Sheets at less than the trade
can buy/sell them for on the likes of eBay presumably in a cynical attempt
to further eliminate third party competition in the form of the philatelic
trade who created much of the market for these products!
Royal Mail's next stamp issue (5 x 2nd and 5 x 1st) is a celebration of
the plethora of amazing collector sheets, sorry, species that inhabit the
UK’s gardens, from frogs to foxes, bees to badgers. Shame they didn't
include the odd toad or weasel Oh! hang on they were responsible for plagiarizing
the idea in the first place! Enough!
A set of 10 x Garden Wildlife mint stamps featuring a range of wildlife
found in UK gardens also feature on the latest collector sheet from Royal
Mail. The Collector Sheet is printed in Litho and Self-adhesive. This is
different from the set of stamps, which are printed in Litho and Gummed.
We continue to supply, to our valued customers, a small number of these
sheets and first day covers which are available through our eBay store.
Just click on the images above to access the relevant page. (07/03)
Music Giants XI - AC/DC
Royal Mail's latest stamp issue, due out on 18th February, features the Australian rock
band AC/DC. I had thought that the Music Giants stamp issues series
were a celebration of all things British but apparently this now includes
our overseas colonies!
In Royal Mail's own words ....
"Royal Mail is celebrating the legendary rock band AC/DC with a
set of special stamps and collectibles marking the 50th anniversary of
their groundbreaking debut album High Voltage. Formed in Australia by
Scottish brothers Angus and Malcolm Young , their music has forged an
enduring connection with British fans. From their iconic performances to
the critical acclaim of albums like Highway to Hell and Back in Black,
AC/DC’s electrifying sound has become part of the fabric of British rock
history."
Now I don't claim to be a fan of AC/DC but with a little internet fact
checking I discovered that their debut album, High Voltage, was not
released until 1975 and then only in Australia! One would have to wait
until 1976 for the international version to be released so Royal Mail are
well ahead of the game with this release - the 38th Anniversary of the
release of High Voltage in the UK! How bizarre, how bizarre!
"Eight new stamps capture the band in full force,
with dynamic images of AC/DC performing live, while an additional
miniature sheet of four stamps features the record covers from some of
their most successful and influential albums. Alongside the stamps are a
number of officially licensed and limited-edition souvenirs to appeal to
music fans and collectors alike."
The number of officially licensed and limited-edition souvenirs
is truly electrifying!!
The Smiler/Collector Sheet is full of energy (excuse the pun) and
very colourful! We have listed a few on ebay so just click on the
following image to purchase from our eBay shop.
GS-171
The two Fan sheets follow the now well established formats
for these products.
Finally, to add to your collecting delight (but primarily
intended for fellow Smilers sheet collectors) I have produced a few
pairs of first day covers of the Smiler sheet. If this is your thing man
then you can add these to your weekly shop by clicking on the images
below. (13/02)
Smiler Unmasked!
Despite the demise of the personalised Smiler sheets, occasionally we
learn of one that slipped through the net! Recently an e-mail from long
time contributor RL added additional information to the sparse knowledge
we had on a Smilers sheet produced in by Alfreton Philatelic Society, but
never seen.
In June 2007 Alfreton Philatelic Society issued a limited edition
Smilers sheet to coincide with their AGM and on the occasion of the 21st
Anniversary of Mr. R F Stammers as President (TSL-004). At the time we
were told that an alternative label design had been produced featuring
both Mr. and Mrs. Stammer but we had never seen the sheet. Our eagle
eyed contributor spotted this sheet recently on eBay and has provided a
scan of the sheet - we understood c. 5 sheets were produced.
Whilst a different design from TSL-004, we have included in our listing
as TSL-004a and wish to thank RL for sharing this image. Our contributor
also noted that the RM order number printed in the bootm left of the sheet
was identical to that shown on TSL-004, thus squaring the information
circle - the label is an image of Mrs. Stammers but we have been left
wondering what happened to Mr. Stammers, who is clearly absent from the
image used for this sheet! (05/02)
Fake News!
Some of us may have read in the news about the fake stamps coming out
of China but did you know that China have also been printing
fake Smilers / Collector sheets for some years now? No? Read on...
There was an excellent article in the Telegraph last April
in which the Daily Telegraph exposed the great Chinese Fake Stamp Scandal
which continues to blight our shores and those of other countries.
It
seems that despite the introduction of so-called bar-coded stamps and
associated revenue protection methods by Royal Mail, these fake stamps
continue to be produced in their masses and are probably available in
every town in the UK.
According to the Daily Telegraph.
A Telegraph investigation identified four major Chinese suppliers
offering to print up to one million counterfeit Royal Mail stamps a week
for as little as 4p each – and deliver them to Britain within days.
The stamps are also being sold through online retail giants such as
Amazon and eBay – and on websites that mimic the official Royal Mail
store.
A senior figure at Royal Mail admitted to BBC One’s Watchdog that
he could not spot the difference between a counterfeit and a genuine
stamp.
David Gold, director of external affairs and policy, said: "The
reality is counterfeiters are now so good at what they do that even I, and
I work for Royal Mail, I can’t tell the difference just by looking at
them."
So with this information in mind it was with
interest that I spotted apparently genuine Smilers Sheets on sale on eBay
for £7.65 each shortly after the Daily Telegraph article had appeared
from an eBay seller in China. I had previously heard rumours and whispers of these fake Smilers
Sheets from the trade but had never seen any so I duly ordered one of each
from an eBay seller called jd_cattleya.
The three sheets I purchased were:
They eventually arrived in a crumbled jiffy bag, posted in
China, and containing equally crumbled Smilers sheets! I complained
about the damaged quality of the received sheets and was duly promised
replacements which also turned up weeks later in a crumbled condition as
the first batch. I complained again and was refunded the purchase price without
quibble.
Recently I was contacted by a fellow collector who told me
that he
could get some of these fake Smilers so I duly ordered
four different sheets, the above three plus the Lunar Year of the Pig sheet
from 2018. The fake sheets have now been received and I thought I would share my
thoughts on these and a few images so that you can see how good they
are.
On first inspection they look identical to the real thing,
indeed to the trained eye it is hard to spot any differences. The one
thing I would say is the adhesive paper they are printed on seems to be as
better quality than the originals and the back of the sheets are smoother
and of bright, white appearance whereas the genuine articles are less
polished in appearance and less white.
They appear to include the phosphor detailing/bands that
react to UV light. Even the Sherlock sheet includes the detailed UV coded
printing on the stamps, see images below.
The reason for posting this now is having now seen them I
would have been fooled if I hadn't known better! Going forward, if you
find Smilers/Collector sheets on sale at significant discounts to normal
pricing then they may not be what they seem! Also, I would give jd_cattleya
a wide berth! (16/01)
GS-109 (Counterfeit)
GS-112 (Counterfeit)
GS-116 (Counterfeit)
GS-128 (Counterfeit and detail)
.jpg)
No, No, No, Yes! It's the Vicar of Dibley
Royal Mail kick off their 2025 stamp issue programme with a celebration
of one of the UK’s most successful and award-winning comedy series ‘The
Vicar of Dibley’. The Vicar of Dibley is a British sitcom which
originally ran on BBC from November 1994 to January 2007 and was set in
the fictional Oxfordshire village of Dibley. Following the 1993 changes in
the Church of England to permit the ordination of women, the series
portrayed a female vicar who had been assigned to the church in the
village. It is among the most successful British programmes, receiving
multiple British Comedy Awards, two International Emmys and was a multiple
British Academy Television Awards nominee. In 2004, it placed third in a
BBC poll of Britain's Best Sitcoms. There is no notable anniversary
in 2025 so one assumes this is a purely commercial decision by Royal Mail
to honour this much loved TV sitcom.
Alice. "So Royal Mail are putting my face on the 2nd class
stamp?"
Geraldine: "Yes Alice."
Alice. "Why?"
Geraldine: "Good question Alice"
Eight new stamps and a mini sheet containing four more new
stamps will be issued on 14th January 2025 along with Presentation Pack,
First Day Covers, Mini Sheet Press Sheet, Maxicards, framed collectibles
and of course the all important Smilers/Collector Sheet.
GS-170
The Collector Sheet is printed in Litho on self adhesive and thus the only
source of the self adhesive format stamps. The counter sheet stamps
are issued in se-tenant pairs throughout the sheet on gummed paper.
We have also produced a very limited number of First Day Covers featuring
the stamps/labels from this sheet.
The above Collector Sheet and pair of First Day Covers are now available to
order through our eBay store, if interested please click on the images
above to order. (14/01)
Royal Mail Stamp Programme 2025 (well at least half)
In October Royal Mail announced to the philatelic Trade the proposed
2025 stamp issue
programme and in early December advised this would be made public on
the 2nd January 2025, in line with previous practice. Then on 30th
December the trade were told that plans to make public the Stamp
Programme for 2025 on 2nd January had been delayed and that only the first
three issues of the year were confirmed.
- The Vicar of Dibley
- The Royal Armouries
- Music Giants: AC/DC
Then by some miracle, the following day the following hit our inboxes courtesy
of Royal Mail.
Also, on that day we were told:
Some changes have been made to
2025 Stamp Programme shared in Key News last year. At this time we are
currently unable to confirm the issue dates for the second half of the
year. We can, however, confirm the Programme for the first half of the
year as shown below. This list is now free from Embargo and can
be shared with your customers.
Update: Royal Mail have now
published details of the 2025 planned issues, although one final issue due
out in November remains under wraps. We can see at
least nine issues in 2025 that may have interest for Smilers/Collector
Sheet Collectors....
| Stamp Issue |
Date of Issue |
| The Vicar of Dibley |
14-Jan-25 |
| The
Royal Armouries |
30-Jan-25 |
| Music Giants: AC/DC |
18-Feb-25 |
| Garden Wildlife |
11-Mar-25 |
| British Myths Legends |
15-Apr-25 |
| Valour & Victory Stories
of the Second World War |
01-May-25 |
| Europhilex |
07-May-25 |
| The Chronicles of Narnia |
22-May-25 |
| Royal Observatory Greenwich |
12-Jun-25 |
| Mushrooms |
19-Jun-25 |
| Peanuts |
24-Jul-2025 |
| Monty Python |
14-Aug-25 |
| Ducks |
11-Sep-25 |
| Steam Locomotives |
25-Sep-25 |
| Monopoly |
14-Oct-25 |
| Christmas 2025 |
04-Nov-25 |
| Final Issue (Confidential) |
20-Nov-25 |
The issues highlighted in red are those with potential interest for
Smilers / Collector Sheet Collectors. No
further details can be made public at this time so we shall all have to wait and see what
2025
brings! (15/01)
2024 News Archive
I have now archived the 2024 Smilers News and
you may now download this in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format by clicking on the
above link. Keep Smiling in 2025!
I have also updated details of all generic, collector, themed and
business customised stamp sheets issued during 2024 and hopefully have not
made too many mistakes! You can find these updated listed under the New
Issues menu item at top left. (04/01)
